Hello, my friends! Happy Friday to you! How was your week?

To be totally honest, my week was far too busy. I can usually manage all of the things that I do, but this week, it all just hit me, and I was stressed. With creating new content for my five weekly classes, a Beautycounter evening meeting, a meeting with a potential blog designer, writing for both the blog and a new freelance project, beginning to compile our tax information (a huge undertaking for me), doing all the mom stuff and now my weekly tennis lesson, I literally didn’t stop all week except to sleep. Usually when I have a week like this, I have a little bit better week right after, so here’s hoping. I’ve literally signed myself up for every single thing I’m doing and working on, so I shouldn’t complain. But I know so many of you face overwhelming feelings about everything on your plate and your rushed daily schedule, and I want you to know you aren’t alone. Even me, in a nontraditional role, am always wishing there was more time to just get it done. I totally prefer a little white space in my life, and this past week had zero, so I need to work on that. But my rant is over, and I’m ready to turn it back to the positive ….

Two big things this weekend:

This Saturday, February 12th, marks one full year that we’ve lived in our house. I have never loved any place more than the house we live right now (outside of maybe our smallest city apartment in SF, which was a total shoebox, and the no A/C and open windows over the street caused me terrible headaches, but that’s neither here nor there). We hope to live in our house for a very long time. It makes me very happy. Our house was built in the late 1990’s, so it definitely could use a little updating here and there. While we plan to do the projects slowly but surely over time, it’s still so comfortable and warm and welcoming already, and I love it. We lucked out on finding it on our fifth day in Charlotte, because it all worked out so well. Happy one-year anniversary to our abode.

And the next big thing: This Sunday, February 13th, is Rudy’s seventh birthday! My first baby! 🙂 

Now for the current faves …

Current faves of the week

Work

Passing my Precision Nutrition recertification exam

Last week, I studied and passed my Precision Nutrition recertification exam. Woohoo. I originally passed my Precision Nutrition level 1 coaching final exam in March of 2020, and I absolutely loved the course and what I learned. I couldn’t believe it when I got the email that my certification was set to expire in 90 days, but it was a good chance to review my course-work and get some refreshers on the nutrition and coaching principles. 

Because I don’t really create recipes or work one-on-one with clients in the nutrition setting, I don’t share as much nutrition or food information on the blog or on social media as I could. I feel like there are people who are way more “expert” in this than me, but I do have a credential, and I do know what I know. If you have any specific questions or topics about nutrition or food, please let me know. But for now, I’m happy to have this title for another two years, because it’s a good one.

For those of you wondering, the recertification exam was totally reasonable, and I was able to pass it on my first try, with a review of the course-work — probably spending about two hours on this total. Fun fact: It was also open book, so that helped.

If you’d like to read about the process of getting certified by Precision Nutrition, here’s my full post on the course and exam.

Next up on my list of professional recertifications is my NASM personal trainer certificate. I have until June 2022 to get all my materials submitted and my CPR/AED renewed to keep this current. That’s a little bit more work, but I’m on it soon. Both of these renewals are just motivators to always be learning … ABL … a good way to be in all that you do.

Entertainment

Watching season 2 of “Emily in Paris” on Netflix

Last weekend, Dave was out one night with some guy friends, so I parked myself in front of the TV and did some online shopping while finishing up season 2 of “Emily in Paris.” And here’s the deal on this show: Technically, this is not a good show. But, dang, is it enjoyable to watch for some escapism. Have you watched it?

In fact, the night after I finished the show I was hanging out with my girlfriends, and we were discussing this show in detail. It’s the clothing, the scenery, the idea of having a European adventure as a young single professional and all the excitement that brings. You know? It’s just a fun thing to be a part of.

(Image source: Netflix.)

I particularly love that the episodes are 30 minutes or less, so you can get through them quickly. I really haven’t been watching a ton of TV lately, but this recent evening of “binging” if you will, was a good one. I will definitely watch the next season when it comes out, knowing full well that the show is predictable, cheesy and silly, and I’m here for it. Anyone else?

Fun

Game night with my girlfriends

Also last weekend, one of my girlfriends hosted a game night, and it was a blast. We all wore our comfortables, drank some tasty drinks, nibbled on good food and even wore the cutest game visors made by hostess.

(Here’s my sweatshirt, which I love. This is my third one in this style, and I’m wearing a size 8.)

Then, we played games! We played this game, Splurt, and it was totally entertaining and simple. It’s just a deck of cards that we passed around and everyone guessed answers to pretty straightforward clues. But to be honest, we would stop to talk a lot during the rounds and ended up ditching the game at one point just to chat. Such a fun and casual night with these great people in my life. And this was definitely worthy of a favorites mention.

Workouts

My workouts from last week

Here’s where I share a recap of my previous week of workouts. I share this to show you how I try to get diversity in my week, and how I always take a rest day. But remember, I do a little bit more than the average person, because I’m a group fitness instructor. 

Workouts from the week of 1/31

• Monday: Taught 1-hour barbell class at Life Time, 9:45 a.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 1-hour barre class with light weights at Life Time, 9:30 a.m.
• Wednesday: Taught 45-minute barre class with light weights at Life Time, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute combo class at Life Time, 9:45 a.m.
• Friday: Taught 45-minute barre class and 45-minute barbell class at Life Time, 10:30 a.m.
• Saturday: 20-minute lower-body workout via Peloton and pull-ups and push-ups, 10 a.m.
• Sunday: Rest day

This past week of workouts was very full! I taught six classes, which is the most I’ve taught in at least two years or so, and I also had a short home workout and a full rest day. No yoga, once again, but I swear I’ll fit it in again soon. I’m definitely doing my foam rolling and percussive massage at least a few times a week too, so that’s helping me to stay loose and injury free.

Best read from the week …

Here’s an article I read this week that I felt was worthy of sharing:

Valentine’s Day in. This isn’t the most substantive article to share here, but with Valentine’s Day coming up on Monday, it’s timely. This one features 11 “at-home date night” ideas, some of which are pretty cute. If you’re in the mood for a fun evening with a partner or friend, give ’em a try. We’ll definitely be at home on Valentine’s Day, but are getting out earlier in the weekend at least.

Quote of the week …

A good one that I’ve been thinking about especially now that I’ve taken up tennis …

A Lady Goes West archives of the week …

There are so many posts on this blog, let’s look back at two good ones (one recent, one older) …

Moods. There’s nothing wrong with not being happy and being in a bad mood, but this post is ways to fix it, when you don’t want to be in a bad mood any longer … “Five ways to improve a bad mood.”

Meditation. I know that so many of us think we don’t have time to add meditation to our lives. But it does not have to be time consuming at all. Most days, I only meditate for five minutes. If you are interested in this topic, head here … “How to start meditating and why you should start.”

Thanks for stopping by the blog to read, my friends. I hope you have a wonderful day and weekend. Stay hydrated and find some white space just for you. I’m sure going to try! 🙂 

Questions of the day for YOU …

How was your week?

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this weekend?

Do you have any downtime planned for the weekend?